Quotes of the day

posted at 10:01 pm on April 2, 2013 by Allahpundit

It’s not the inclusion of a pathway to citizenship that has immigration reform proponents worried — at this point, it’s clear that this will be part of any deal Senate negotiators produce.

It’s how difficult they choose to make it…

“The sleeper issue in immigration reform is, do all 11 million people qualify for legal status or is it a fraction?” said Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Center for Community Change, a pro-reform group. “This issue is the potential deal-breaker in the whole mix. If the requirements are so onerous that only a fraction of eligible people can actually adjust their status and get legal, there will be a hugely negative reaction to the bill in the immigrant community.”…

“My instinct is they want to be inclusive in who is eligible,” said Angela Kelley, a leading immigration expert with the Center for American Progress. “They recognize you want to try to have a program that permits as many people as possible to come forward. … I think it will be an accessible road but a long road.”

***

Finally, after the border is secure and our guest worker and visa programs are modernized, the legislation must address what to do with the people who are here illegally. I know some citizens want to round them all up, but this is not realistic. Instead, we can create an appropriate program to normalize their status…

The legislation should not provide a special pathway to citizenship for the millions who have willfully violated our immigration laws. Those who entered the U.S. as children, through no fault of their own, will be allowed to have a pathway to citizenship. But those who entered illegally as adults will only be allowed to participate in the new and improved guest worker and visa programs.

I am not advocating a two-tiered immigration system or second-class status — those who can become citizens and those who can never become citizens. Anyone who wants to become a naturalized citizen of the United States is welcome to apply. But Congress must not make it any easier for those who entered our country illegally to obtain citizenship. Those who qualify for the new guest worker and visa programs and desire citizenship would be placed at the end of the line behind others immigrating legally. It would be a travesty to treat those who violated our laws better than those who have patiently waited their turn to come to the United States the right way.

***

Rubio is building in several insurance policies:

1) Behind the scenes, Rubio has been courting conservative leaders and talk-radio hosts, hoping they’ll give him leeway when he needs it. One of his arguments: There’s nothing conservative about having 11 million people in the country illegally. So far, he has been encouraged by what he has heard. In late January, when the Senate gang issued the framework that it is now filling in, Rubio did a tour of Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity and other conservative talkers, and got a surprisingly respectful — even favorable — response…

2) The proposal’s pathway to citizenship will be triggered by a rigorous set of metrics that, according to sources, will take years for the U.S. to meet. Workplace-enforcement mechanisms would discourage employers from hiring illegals. And Rubio has been pushing for a 10-year wait for people who are here illegally now to apply for a green card. Even with these guardrails, Rubio doesn’t know how conservatives will react when groups start running ads saying Republicans are creating 10 million new Democratic voters, all of whom broke the law.

3) Rubio advisers studied conservative objections to past immigration packages and found that a frequent complaint was that the measures had been too rushed. So Rubio has very publicly insisted on multiple hearings, and a wide-open debate and amendment process in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor. “In order to succeed, this process cannot be rushed or done in secret,” he said in Sunday’s statement. He wants buy-in from other Republican senators, and a big number on final passage, not a close vote.

***

It would seem that Rubio and the Democrats are playing chicken, each one calculating the other will flinch first. Democrats think the GOP is so desperate for an amnesty they’ll agree to anything. For his part, Rubio is trying to secure his status of godfather of an immigration “compromise” by threatening delay, knowing the Democrats (and Lindsey Graham) are desperate to ram the amnesty through before the public gets a good look at it and before the midterm elections get too close…

I think, in the end, that Rubio’s desire to shepherd an amnesty through Congress will cause him to cave to the Democrats’ demands. The Dems will give Rubio a few trivial concessions, so he can try to tell Limbaugh, Levin, et al. that he didn’t lie to them. But if I’m wrong, and he walks away saying he did his best but couldn’t overcome the Democrats’ for amnesty without enforcement, Rubio could strengthen his 2016 prospects.

***

“The Senate is littered with Republicans who negotiated with Chuck Schumer, thinking they had one deal when he had something else entirely in mind,” said Rick Wilson, a Florida-based GOP consultant. “I think [Rubio is] very mindful of the two potential negative outcomes (something perceived as a blanket/easy amnesty or a deal perceived as not moving the ball in a meaningful way) but still views this as a right policy/right politics matter.”…

[I]f the perception is that Rubio either a) got rolled or b) rolled over when it comes to a path to citizenship for undocumented workers, which Democrats insist must be in any comprehensive plan, it could mean real trouble for him with the conservative base of the GOP.

ICE union president Chris Crane requested the meeting last week. “Any comprehensive immigration bill would have enormous consequences for our officers and for the citizens we protect,” Crane, who has testified before congressional panels on the issue, wrote in the letter. “Fundamentally, I would implore you to consider this issue from the perspective of our officers who risk their lives every day in a constant uphill climb to uphold the laws of the land.”

***

The bottom line: Most Americans would support an immigration reform plan, but only if border security comes first. And by “first” they mean before the legalization of currently illegal immigrants and before the creation of a path to citizenship. Would they be more flexible if they truly believed the federal government’s promise to secure the border? Perhaps — but they don’t believe.

And why should they? Previous pledges to secure the border have ended in half-hearted enforcement. Yes, there is more border security today than there was a decade ago. But there has always been, it seems, a resistance in the federal bureaucracy to relatively simple actions, like finishing a sufficiently secure border fence, that would contribute greatly to enhanced enforcement…

So it is in that atmosphere that the Gang of Eight prepares to unveil its comprehensive reform plan. The biggest obstacle won’t be a guest worker program or some other detail. It will be the public’s lack of trust.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

How ’bout we keep it simple — any alien who can pay back the dollar value of every service received while illegally in the country and can pay back taxes and interest for all income earned while illegally in the country can apply just like anyone who had never freeloaded in the first place.

A. The check is in the mail.
B. I won’t *** in your mouth.
C. I’ll love you in the morning.
D. Raise taxes, we’ll then cut spending.
E. 1986 amnesty and this is IT dammit-we’ll get real tough.

Funny in 2007 and now, I never saw ANY real attempt at doing the right thing re immigration. How chickenshit is it for people waiting patiently and legally geographically distant and yet those in close proximity get a hug and kiss?

3) Rubio advisers studied conservative objections to past immigration packages and found that a frequent complaint was that the measures had been too rushed.

LOL. Rubio is not only a treasonous little worm but a brain-dead idiot, to boot. He needs to GTFA and never be heard from again. What a despicable POS. The guy lives in government. He hasn’t had any job but government. He belongs in some central or south American sh!thole where he can be closer to the constituents he truly serves.

Rubio did a tour of Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity and other conservative talkers, and got a surprisingly respectful — even favorable — response…

Rubio has played Limbaugh, Levin and Hannity for the three nincompoops. They seem to have some kind of man crush on him like Matthews does for Obama.

VorDaj on April 2, 2013 at 10:14 PM

You are absolutely right. Rubio is seriously playing the conservative base. Conservatives need to torpedo this amnesty for all bill currently being cooked up by the liberal democrats. Once torpedoed, they should make sure they take credit for its downfall. This will more than guarantee them the senate in 2014.

“…It’s among the confused middle-class warriors for welfarism. They have failed, and failed miserably, to reckon with one of the iron laws of modern politics – which is that the more reliant you are on the welfare state, the more experience you have of it and the less you love it. And by extension, the further removed you are from the welfare state, the less experience you have of it, the more you can fantasise about its virtues and grow to love it. Or at least their imaginary versions of it.”

LOL. Rubio is not only a treasonous little worm but a brain-dead idiot, to boot. He needs to GTFA and never be heard from again. What a despicable POS. The guy lives in government. He hasn’t had any job but government. He belongs in some central or south American sh!thole where he can be closer to the constituents he truly serves.

ThePrimordialOrderedPair on April 2, 2013 at 10:33 PM

And I thought I was the only one who saw Manuel Rubio for what he truly is. A big government hack who has lived his whole life off the taxpayer. I am shocked to see conservatives anoint this empty suit as their next Reagan. The man has never had a real job in his life. At least Obama doesn’t run around screaming he is for a small government. Manuel is the definition of big government.

“It’s long overdue,” Graham said on Fox News. “If we don’t do it now, it will be a decade or more before anyone takes it up again.”

And that will be a decade to soon. What we should be doing is gutting our 1965 immigration laws. How is it possible that all these so called Republican lawmakers cannot see the damage they’re doing to this country? I can’t even wrap my mind around it.

At least Obama doesn’t run around screaming he is for a small government.

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 10:42 PM

LOL. Barky lies about every single thing on Earth and, yet, he still sucks at lying. He tells the dumbest, most transparent lies one can imagine. He’s a pathological liar with an IQ of 84 – the perfect leftist.

Rubio is just a treasonous little worm who would be better suited as a democrat. He’s got all the qualifications for it, living off of government being one of the big ones.

Today we must all be aware that political expediency and latino ethnicity takes precedence over rule of law and constitutional procedure. However you say – WHAT THE – what does this mean… in relation to the tabulation whereby we must once again realize that the great reconquesta story is now being rehearsed before our very eyes, in the rise of Marco Rubio… indicating that only a two-faced, I mean a bi-faced, I mean a bi-lingual hombre can receive…the award for reconquesta, unlike Kenyan Hussein Obama whose reconquesta plans don’t drink water.

And I thought I was the only one who saw Manuel Rubio for what he truly is. A big government hack who has lived his whole life off the taxpayer. I am shocked to see conservatives anoint this empty suit as their next Reagan. The man has never had a real job in his life. At least Obama doesn’t run around screaming he is for a small government. Manuel is the definition of big government.

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 10:42 PM

HAL,you’re full of hot air and sh*t.

Obama and Rubio are almost the same, in similar parties. To Hades with both, and all of you who support them.

Rubio is just a treasonous little worm who would be better suited as a democrat. He’s got all the qualifications for it, living off of government being one of the big ones.

ThePrimordialOrderedPair on April 2, 2013 at 10:46 PM

And the bi-partisan panel, has determined to give the prize to Marco Rubio for his EARNESTY’S RAINBOW. Now EARNESTY’S RAINBOW is a token of this man’s genius…he told me so himself and repeatedly …that he could change perceptions by calling his plan for knocking down those pesky borders EARNESTY …in other words, he could have been more specific, but rather than to allude to an articulation of the mundane, he has come to the conclusion that brevity is the importance of our nation’s shallow first world existence. God damn!

At least Obama doesn’t run around screaming he is for a small government.

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 10:42 PM

Well, actually he kind of did, especially in 2008.

VorDaj on April 2, 2013 at 10:45 PM

Come on. He only said that to win the election. You didn’t really believe that did you? I know I didn’t. Then again I don’t believe in anything small government. It’s impossible to have a small government in this country. We fight too many wars and screw the middle class too much for that bs.

Obama and Rubio are almost the same, in similar parties. To Hades with both, and all of you who support them.

They both scroom the land, Obama more so.

Schadenfreude on April 2, 2013 at 10:48 PM

I do want to thank la Raza…I mean the RNC … I mean the DNC and it’s subsidiary the RNC, the organization for the $1,000 in affirmative action latino scholarships they’ve given out…tonight they took in over $4,000,000, but they do have expenses for their consultants you know, and I think that I have another appointment. I would like to stay here, but for the sake of brevity I, I must leave. I do want to thank you, I want to thank Mr. Allah Pundit. I want to thank Mr. Morrisey, who just ran through the auditorium and out a fire exit, and I want to thank Marco Rubio – acting el Presidenta of la Raza Mexiamerica and also Mr. Obama – acting Pharaoh and Drone Commander of the World – and also I want to thank Professor Irwin Corey and thank you. …

LOL. Barky lies about every single thing on Earth and, yet, he still sucks at lying. He tells the dumbest, most transparent lies one can imagine. He’s a pathological liar with an IQ of 84 – the perfect leftist.

Rubio is just a treasonous little worm who would be better suited as a democrat. He’s got all the qualifications for it, living off of government being one of the big ones.

ThePrimordialOrderedPair on April 2, 2013 at 10:46 PM

Okay fine. I will agree with you that he does lie. But which politician doesn’t?

This idiot argued on Greta that the words “illegal immigrants” is degrading. His Hispanic azz should internalize that they are not “immigrants”. They are criminals. The law refers to them as “aliens”. The focus is on the wrong word.

Now EARNESTY’S RAINBOW is a token of this man’s genius…he told me so himself and repeatedly …that he could change perceptions by calling his plan for knocking down those pesky borders EARNESTY …in other words, he could have been more specific, but rather than to allude to an articulation of the mundane, he has come to the conclusion that brevity is the importance of our nation’s shallow first world existence. God damn!

Okay fine. I will agree with you that he does lie. But which politician doesn’t?

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 10:53 PM

No one lies like Barky. He’s both the biggest liar around and the worst at it. Barky has even made BJ Clinton (another lefty favorite POS and rapist) look like a truth-teller.

Barky is unlike anything seen in American history – mostly because he is not of America. The guy is a third world retard – “a little Jakarta street kid” as he put it, himself – born a muslim, adopted by a muslim and raised in the largest muslim nation in the world which he was likely a citizen of (along with having been born a subject of Britain and then a Kenyan citizen with their independence). The dog-eating POS has not one iota of American sensibilities about him – not that there’s much of any sense in him, anyway, but what little there is is distinctly un-American and categorically anti-American. The Constitution bars his sort from running the Executive branch, but America was too scared by his thin skin to even look into the issue.

Anyone who supports Barky is a traitor for foisting this miserable, ineligible POS on the nation in order to bring our destruction (as has been done – only the finishing touches await, now).

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean authorities were not allowing any South Korean workers into a joint industrial park on Wednesday, South Korea’s Unification Ministry and a Reuters witness said, adding to tensions between the two countries.

A South Korean official said hundreds of South Koreans currently in the Kaesong Industrial zone would be allowed to leave. North Korea had earlier delayed access to the park.

If you take this article seriously from the Washington Post, then it’s about to get interesting. Or not. Who knows?

Okay fine. I will agree with you that he does lie. But which politician doesn’t?

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 10:53 PM

Most fib but he is clinically NPD’d and lies without guilt or regret. He really is a sick puppy. A clever PHd student could write a great thesis. He surpasses Orwell/Muenchhausen/Pinocchio and Machiavelli, all in one.

Rubio doesn’t believe in applying for citizenship. He hates the idea of Law or order or anything so regimented. He should just crawl over the border, pop up in Mexico City and demand his new passport! I’ll pack him sandwiches for the trip.

No one lies like Barky. He’s both the biggest liar around and the worst at it. Barky has even made BJ Clinton (another lefty favorite POS and rapist) look like a truth-teller.

Barky is unlike anything seen in American history – mostly because he is not of America. The guy is a third world retard – “a little Jakarta street kid” as he put it, himself – born a muslim, adopted by a muslim and raised in the largest muslim nation in the world which he was likely a citizen of (along with having been born a subject of Britain and then a Kenyan citizen with their independence). The dog-eating POS has not one iota of American sensibilities about him – not that there’s much of any sense in him, anyway, but what little there is is distinctly un-American and categorically anti-American. The Constitution bars his sort from running the Executive branch, but America was too scared by his thin skin to even look into the issue.

Anyone who supports Barky is a traitor for foisting this miserable, ineligible POS on the nation in order to bring our destruction (as has been done – only the finishing touches await, now).

ThePrimordialOrderedPair on April 2, 2013 at 11:02 PM

Wow man! I seriously hope you don’t walk around all day with this hatred. There is really nothing you can do to get him out of power you know. Your time came and has passed. Fielding that Romney fella wasn’t a good move at all. Anyway just move on. My 2 cents.

Most fib but he is clinically NPD’d and lies without guilt or regret. He really is a sick puppy. A clever PHd student could write a great thesis. He surpasses Orwell/Muenchhausen/Pinocchio and Machiavelli, all in one.

Schadenfreude on April 2, 2013 at 11:06 PM

You do know the main reason why u think he lies so much is because you are against his politics and probably him personally right? He is bad but not half as bad as you described.

Good thing for him is most Americans think he is the better of two evils hence the reason he is now a two termer.

HotAirLib on April 2, 2013 at 11:05 PM

LOL. It’s “the LESSER of two evils” and Barky certainly ain’t that. His supporters go for the greater of two evils and the idiot GOP tries to be as despicable as the dems with their refusal to defend America and the Constitution and conservatives stay away.

Barky wins nothing but the votes of the America-haters. You know exactly who you are. If you wanted to live under Sukarno you should move your azz to Jakarta rather than forcing Jakarta on America. But, you’ve done your damage and this population in America will go down in history as one of the most pathetic collection of people EVER. Americans of today will live on for millenia as cautionary tales and the butt of ridiculous jokes as they have voluntarily voted for Suicide by Indonesian in order to take apart the greatest nation that has ever existed. I hope you’re proud. You have cemented our place in history, dirtball.

French ex-minister, a Socialist, admits lying about Swiss account to evade paying French taxes

France’s former budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac, who until two weeks ago was responsible for cracking down on tax evasion, admitted to having hidden funds in a secret Swiss bank. Judges have now placed Cahuzac under formal investigation.

France’s former budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac admitted on Tuesday that he had held a secret bank account abroad – a fact that he has strenuously denied until now.

His admission comes two weeks after he resigned from the government over allegations that he had siphoned funds into a UBS bank account in Switzerland in order to avoid paying taxes in France.

Barky holds pep rallies masquerading as memorials (so demented and twisted that no normal person could even begin to understand what the hell was going on with the Arizona rally for the shootings – t-shirts and all).

Barky dances on the coffins of the dead while he lies, you friggin ghoul.

i think it is a sad state of affairs that our ‘leaders’ are loath to say exactly what it in a bill until a gang of X ‘rolls it out’…and then we can find out what is in it.

A temporary W visa for guest workers is fine with me. An increase in specialists in technical fields would be an excellent thing. I’d like to see a decease in actors/entertainers who get special pathways now.

but what else? if a green card is given early in the process that qualifies for barry.care…i.e. you’ll increase the drag on the system. So all the smiling faces of McCain and Lindsey can get us into a heap of trouble. Hint…if Schumer is all smiles…well the con is on

American’s having seen this plenty enough before have got to know the main basis of what’s going on is DC’s always working harder to avoid the rule of law than it is to just get the enforcing done and start from go.

Sorry love, I’m an American, not Italian, my fathers family came here in the early 1600’s and my mothers has been here, oh about 30,000 years or so (Yakima Indians). Traditionally, we Americans deal with our traitors with nice Stout Hemp Rope. I like American traditions… ;)